Nepal

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchyIndependence 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)

Nepal as the 2006 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalKathmandu, UTC+5.75
Position28 00 N, 84 00 E
Area147,181 sq km
LocationSouthern Asia, between China and India
2006

Every edition of Nepal

Populationas each edition published it
28.29 million July 2006 est. · 19.15m in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.17% 2006 est. · 2.43% in 1993
Median ageyears
20.3 years 2006 est. · 19.7 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
60.18 years 2006 est. · 51.98 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
4.1 children per woman 2006 est. · 5.6 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
65.32 deaths per 1,000 live births 2006 est. · 99 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$1,400 2005 est. · $170 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
2.7% 2005 est. · 3.1% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003.

In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime minister who formed a four-party coalition government.

Citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency and corruption, the king in February 2005 dissolved the government, declared a state of emergency, imprisoned party leaders, and assumed power. The king's government subsequently released party leaders and officially ended the state of emergency in May 2005, but the monarch retained absolute power until April 2006. After nearly three weeks of mass protests organized by the seven-party opposition and the Maoists, the king allowed parliament to reconvene on 28 April 2006.

Geography

Southern Asia, between China and India

18 fields

Land useshare of 147,181 sq km

arable land 16.07%permanent crops 0.85%other 83.08% (2005)irrigated 11,700 sq km (2003)
Area
147,181sq km
land: 143,181 sq kmwater: 4,000 sq kmslightly larger than Arkansas
Coastline
0km
(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Highest point
8,850m
Mount Everestlowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
Land boundaries
2,926km
border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Climate

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Terrain

Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Natural resources

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Natural hazards

severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment - current issues

  • deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives);
  • contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents);
  • wildlife conservation;
  • vehicular emissions

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note

  • landlocked;
  • strategic location between China and India;
  • contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively

People

19 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2006 est.)

513,777
65 and over3.7%
541,497
8,365,526
15-6457.6%
7,925,941
5,648,959
0-1438.7%
5,291,447
MaleFemale
Population
28,287,147
(July 2006 est.)growth rate: 2.17% (2006 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2006 est.)

Birth
30.98Death
9.31Net migration
0

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2006 est.)60.18
60.43 · 59.91Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)65.32
63.56 · 67.17
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2000-2004 est.)48.6%
62.7% · 34.9%Median age years (2006 est.)20.3
20.1 · 20.4
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups(2001 census)

Chhettri 15.5%Brahman-Hill 12.5%Magar 7%Tharu 6.6%Tamang 5.5%Newar 5.4%Muslim 4.2%Kami 3.9%Yadav 3.9%other 32.7%unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Religions(2001 census)

Hindu 80.6%Buddhist 10.7%Muslim 4.2%Kirant 3.6%other 0.9% (2001 census)note: only official Hindu state in the world

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.95 male(s)/female
total population:
1.06 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.1 children born/woman (2006 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,100 (2003 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Nepalese

Languages

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English

Government

Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy; King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (since 4 June 2001); Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 30 April 2006)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

37.3%
NC 37.3%CPN/UML 31.6%NDP (RPP) 10.4%NSP 3.2%Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%NWPP 0.5%others 14.8%House of Representatives - last held in May 1999

Legislature, 205 seatsone dot, one seat

NC 113CPN/UML 69NDP 11NSP 5Rastriya Jana Morcha 5Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1NWPP 1

Country name

conventional long and short form:
Nepal
local long and short form:
Nepal

Government type

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Capital

name:
Kathmandu
geographic coordinates:
27 43 N, 85 19 E
time difference:
UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti

Independence

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)

National holiday

Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946)

Constitution

9 November 1990

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (since 4 June 2001)
head of government:
Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 30 April 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Khadga Prasad OLI (since 2 May 2006) and Amik SHERCHAN since June 2006)
cabinet:
  • Cabinet historically appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister;
  • note - the prime minister selected the Cabinet in May 2006 in consultation with the political parties
elections:
  • none;
  • the monarch is hereditary;
  • note - following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition historically has been appointed prime minister by the monarch

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
  • House of Representatives - last held in May 1999;
  • note - Parliament was dissolved in May 2002 but was finally reconvened in April 2006 with most of the members that were elected in 1999
election results:
  • House of Representatives (for 1999 parliament) - percent of vote by party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP (RPP) 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%;
  • seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1;
  • note - NC, NSP, and NDP have since each split into two parties

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council)

Political parties and leaders

  • Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Madhav Kumar NEPAL, general secretary];
  • National Democratic Party or NDP (also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Pashupati Shumsher RANA, chairman];
  • Nepali Congress-Democratic [Sher Bahadur DEUBA, president];
  • Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA, party president, Sushil KOIRALA, vice president];
  • Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party or NSP - Mandal [Bhadri Prasad MANDAL, party president];
  • Nepal Sadbhavana Party - Ananda Devi [Ananda DEVI, president];
  • Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE, party chairman];
  • People's Front Nepal (Rastriya Jana Morcha) [Amik SHERCHAN, chairman];
  • Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA, chairman];
  • note - split from RPP in March 2005;
  • Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [leader NA];
  • note - merged with People's Front Nepal or PFN in 2002

Political pressure groups and leaders

  • Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA, chairman; Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI];
  • numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital;
  • several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups

International organization participation

AsDB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)
chancery:
2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 667-4550
FAX:
[1] (202) 667-5534
consulate(s) general:
New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador James F. MORIARTY
embassy:
Panipokhari, Kathmandu
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[977] (1) 411-1179
FAX:
[977] (1) 441-9963

Flag description

  • red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles;
  • the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun

Economy

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line.

38 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$39.14billion
(2005 est.)official exchange rate: $6.655 billion (2005 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,400
(2005 est.)
Real growth rate
2.7%
(2005 est.)industrial production growth: 3.8% (FY04/05)
Inflation, consumer prices
7.8%
(October 2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2005 est.)

agriculture 38%industry 21%services 41% (2005 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

53.7%
India
47.5%
17.4%
US
UAE
11.2%
China
10.7%
7.1%
Germany
Saudi Arabia
4.9%
Kuwait
4.1%
Exports $822 million f.o.b. ; note - does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2005 est.)Imports $2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)(2005)

Budget

Revenues
$1.153 billionExpenditures
$1.789 billion
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA (FY05/06)

Electricity

Electricity production
2.565 billion (2005)Electricity consumption
1.85 billion (2005)Electricity exports
111 million (2005)Electricity imports
241 million (2005)

Economy - overview

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for 38% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.

Security concerns relating to the Maoist conflict have led to a decrease in tourism, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, its civil strife, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

Labor force

10.4 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
76%
industry:
6%
services:
18%

Unemployment rate

42% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
2.6%
highest 10%:
39.1% (2003-2004)

Agriculture - products

rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat

Industries

  • tourism, carpet, textile;
  • small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills;
  • cigarettes, cement and brick production

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,980 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

11,760 bbl/day NA bbl/day

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Exports

$822 million f.o.b.; note - does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain

Imports

$2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities

gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer

Debt - external

$3.34 billion (March 2005)

Economic aid - recipient

$424 million (FY00/01)

Currency (code)

Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 71.368 (2005), 73.674 (2004), 76.141 (2003), 77.877 (2002), 74.949 (2001)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
248,800
(2005)
Internet users
17,789
(2006)
Fixed lines
448,600
(2005) · country code .np

Telephone system

general assessment:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
domestic:
NA
international:
  • country code - 977;
  • radiotelephone communications;
  • microwave landline to India;
  • satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998)

Internet users

175,000 (2005)

Transportation

5 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

1
over 3,047 m
7
914 to 1,523 m
8
2
under 914 m
29
1,524 to 2,437 m
1
Paved 10Unpaved 38

Networkskm

Roadways
15,905Railways
59
Roadways: paved: 8,573 km · unpaved: 7,332 km (2003) · Railways: narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2005)

Airports

48 (2006)

Railways

total:
59 km
narrow gauge:
59 km 0.762-m gauge (2005)

Roadways

total:
15,905 km
paved:
8,573 km
unpaved:
7,332 km (2003)

Military

Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service); Nepalese Police Force

6 fields

Military branches

Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service); Nepalese Police Force

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49:
6,107,091
females age 18-49:
5,744,989 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49:
4.193 million
females age 18-49:
3,853,102 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males age 18-49:
308,031
females age 18-49:
286,604 (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

3 fields

Disputes - international

  • joint border commission continues to work on small disputed sections of boundary with India;
  • India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin):
104,915 (Bhutan)
IDPs:
100,000-200,000 (ongoing conflict between government forces and Maoist rebels; displacement spread across the country) (2005)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West

Central Intelligence Agency. “Nepal.” The World Factbook 2006. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/nepal/2006.

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